Avenging Shadows - Part 2

Getting Started...

It had been several weeks since the formation of the Avengers Europe franchise. Natasha Romanav, aka "The Black Widow" was in her office, taking care of some paperwork for the new team.

"Looks like you're having fun, Widow", a voice came from the open doorway of her office.

Widow looked to see the figure of Lady Jacqueline Falsworth Crichton, aka "Spitfire", standing in her doorway.

"I had forgotten how much I hate paperwork and red tape", Natasha sighed as she sat back in her chair to acknowledge her new teammate.

"A necessary evil.. or so I've been told", Spitfire laughed.

"Maybe so, but it's one I'd gladly do without in a flash", Widow quipped. "So what can I do for you, Lady Crichton?"

"It's Jackie, please", Spitfire said. "Lady Crichton is only for stuffy meetings with the Queen or the yearly trip to Parliment to argue meaninglessly for hours, only to accomplish nothing."

"You're a member of the British Parliment?", Widow asked, surprised by this revelation.

"Of the House of Lords", Spitfire revealed. "I inherited the seat from my father, Lord John Falsworth, ask the original 'Union Jack'. I also have the rights to my late husband, the original 'Lord Crichton's', seat."

"Very impressive", the Widow remarked.

"Maybe to you, but it's more of a headache than anything else. Dealing with those pompous asses twice a year.", Spitfire remarked.

"So the British Parliment is basically the same as the Congress in the States or the Parliment from my own home in the Soviet Union?", Natasha commented.

"Just a bunch of stuffed shirts and over-zealous egos, but only worse because all of these men and women think they're special due to their titles."

"That seems to be a common trait among all politicians, whether they've inherited their seats or were elected to their jobs, the ego and boorishness and such.", Widow said.

"At least 98% of them", Spitfire agreed. "Oh yes, I nearly forgot why I came to rescue you from your office. Dr. McCoy has finished the installation of the new 'Danger Room' in the lower level and has requested you come, as he put it, 'join the party'."

"Beast has already finished? That's great!", The Widow said. "Tell Hank I'll be there shortly."

"Will do", Spitfire said as she took off down the hallway at a burst of super-speed back towards the lower levels of the castle.

"It'll be good to have this danger room to work out in and practice the use of our abilities and teamwork", the Widow thought to herself as she quickly finished up the work on her desk.

Ten minutes later, Widow joined Hank McCoy, the X-Man and occasional Avenger known as the Beast, in the control room for the new specially designed training room they had designated as "The Dungeon". They were joined by Spitfire, The Living Lightning, Andromeda and Dr. Druid.

"So what we have is a combination of the latest technology, both from here on Earth and from the Shi'ar as well, including holographs, illusions, force fields and other equipment. It's simple to work from here in the control booth and is a fantastic way to train. This room is based on the original 'Danger Room' at the X-Mansion.", Beast explained.

"So are we going to see a demonstration of this technology", asked Dr. Druid, looking over the control panels.

"Absolutely!', Beast smiled. "Hercules, Iceman and Mantis are waiting down below for the word. I've already put in the program, a simple little exercise to have fun with."

"And if you're ready guys", Hank spoke via speaker to the waiting heroes below, " the goal is very simple. Cross the room and hit the big red button on the opposing wall."

"That is no challenge for the Prince of Power", Hercules bellowed.

"Indeed! This one hardly understands why it will take three of us to press the button".

"Well if I know Big Blue Fuzzy up there", Iceman quickly injected, "it's not going to be nearly as easy as you might hope! Be ready guys!".

"Alas, you know me too well, young Robert", the Beast quipped as he hit the start button. The assembled heroes in the control booth watched the room change from an empty room with four walls into a scene of a alien landscape, complete with nasty looking creatures quickly swaming the three heroes.

"Look alive heroes", said Iceman as he quickly formed an ice sled and took to the sky, only to have the sled shattered by a force beam from the aliens eyes.

"Oh cripes, Drake said as he re-formed his ice sled in mid-air and blasted a group of the aliens, quickly encasing them in a big block of ice.

"Have at thee, foul creatures", said Hercules as he waded quickly into a mob of the slimy monsters, thrashing and pounding away at any who came within reach of his hige fists.

Mantis was using her acrobatics and moving almost faster than the eye could follow as she dodged and weaved among the aliens, occasionally taking to time to decimate one with a martial arts blow or a quick thrust.

In about ten minutes, the exercise was over as Mantis, using the shoulders of Hercules for a launch pad, bounded over a pack of aliens to reach the big red button and thus, end the exercise.

The room quickly reverted back to normal and the "aliens" vanished. Iceman breathed a sigh of relief as the aliens he had been battling vanished.

"Is that it?", Hercules asked. "I was just beginning to have fun and present thee monsters with the gift."

"Trust Hercules to enjoy himself in that craziness", Iceman quipped as he put his arm around Hercules shoulder. "Come on Herc. Let's go upstairs and see how we did!".

"This one also enjoyed herself", Mantis said. "That was an interesting experience."

The three heroes walked out the exit of the Dungeon and made their way to the Control room to join the other heroes.

"And we can program any kind of enviroment or situation? Amazing!", Dr. Druid remarked as The Beast continued showing the Avengers how to use and work the booth.

"It'll be a great tool to keep up our skills and practice our teamwork". The Widow noted. "Hank, once again, thank you for flying over here and installing this for us. And also, please give Professor Xaiver my thanks... for all of his help. Not just this room, but everything."

"I'll pass along the message, Tash", Beast said with a big grin. "Now, does anyone else want to give this thing a try?"

Several hours passed and the Avengers became more familiar with the Dungeon. All of the assembled members took their turns at attempting to cross the room and take part in a simulation. Some did well. Others did not.

Now all that remained in the control booth were Beast, Spitfire and Andromeda. The others had left to pursue other duties and activities.

"Blast and spit!", Andromeda pouted as she looked over her results from her attempt to cross the room. "Who knew that the room would use steam blasts to dehydrate me and allow those creatures to overcome me.".

"You have to be prepared for every possibility", Beast remarked. "For the first time, you did fine. And look, the computer is already preparing you a list of options and possibilities to counter dehydration and prevent that tactic from being used against you again. Every exercise and simulation is recorded and analyzed by a program designed by myself, Forge and Kitty Pryde. It looks at how you peformed, what you did right, what you did wrong, and offers up solutions to have more positives than negatives. The room got you this time with the unexpected. But next time, you'll be ready and it'll have to try something else."

"And each time, I'll learn more and more about strategy and ways to work around my weaknesses. Fantastic!", Andromeda said.

"It's an amazing device", Beast said, in regards to the room. "Speaking of fantastic, where is Lyja? Our former member of the Fantastic Four? She's the only Avenger who didn't come join the fun here today."

"Lyja is in London, meeting her estranged husband Johnny Storm, for dinner.", Spitfire said. "She was wanting to be here for this, but she and Johnny had already made this date weeks ago."

"Ah, young love!", Hank quipped. "And I was wanting to see how she would do in the Danger Room. With her Skrull abilities, I was expecting quite a show. How are her and Johnny getting along these days anyhow?"

"With Lyja and the Torch, it changes day to day", Spitfire said. "We've talked many times about this and she says she loves Johnny and he seems to love her, but if they're together more than a few days, it quickly gets... "

"Combustive", Beast smiled. He knew Johnny Storm very well and knew how hot-headed the young man could be at times. And from what he'd seen of the Skrull warrior, Lyja, Beast had a strong feeling she could be just as bad.

"They seem to work better in small doses", Spitfire agreed. "So he does the Fantastic Four thing, she's with us here in London being an Avenger, and when they get the chance, they get together."

"Crazy kids", Beast laughed as he closed down the console for the control booth. "I guess we're finished here unless you want to take another run?"

"No", said Spitfire and Andromeda at the same time, quickly.

"I just want to go relax in the pool", Andromeda said.

"And I think I hear a warm bed and good book calling to me", Spitfire added.

"Cowards", smiled Beast. "Anyhow, I guess I should be getting myself back to the States and the X-Mansion. Does anyone know where young Robert got to so I can bid farewell to my frosty associate?"

"Iceman? According to the castle sensors, he's in the kitchen feeding his face", Spitfire said.

"And so, I shall go down and say my good-byes. Until we next meet, young ladies."

Beast bowed to the two women and gently kissed each of them on the hands before literally bouncing out the doorway and down the hallway, badly singing "London Bridge is falling down", heading for the kitchen.

"He's something else, isn't he?", Spitfire remarked to Andromeda as Beast bounced down the hallway.

"Hank McCoy is a great scholar and a true warrior", Andromeda agreed.

Both women stood in silence, side by side, as Hank vanished from sight.

Scene - Downtown London

Lyja Storm and her estranged hubby, Johnny sat in a small cafe. It had been a great day of exploring the city and just being together.

"It's too bad every day can't be like this", Lyja told Johnny as he held her hand.

"Why can't it be? Drop this Avengers nonsense and come back to the Fantastic Four with me?", Johnny said.

"I thought you approved of me being an Avenger", Lyja said.

"I do", Johnny agreed. "But that's because you wanted to do it. I think you'd be happier with me, Reed, Susan and Ben."

"You say that right now, but would you still be saying that in a week?", Lyja asked.

"Yeah", Johnny said. "I may get a little hot headed sometimes.."

"A little?", Lyja smirked.

"But that's just me. You know I love you!", Johnny continued.

"And I love you!", Lyja said. "But I also love the thrill of being an Avenger. It's been really good for me, Johnny!"

"I think you just get off living in a castle", Johnny quipped.

"It is... different", Lyja admitted. "Living in New York was amazing at times, but there's a simplicity, an aura about being in Europe, that is unlke anything I've ever encounted before."

"And this is coming from a lady from an alien galaxy who has literally been across the universe and back numerous times!", Johnny laughed.

"What can I say", Lyja laughed. "I guess I'm just a simple girl at heart!".

As the loving couple continued to talk, suddenly a series of screams rang out from the dark night.

"What the..?", Johnny said as he and Lyja both quickly rose from their seats.

With no wasted motion, Johnny quickly muttered "Flame On" and took off towards the sounds of the screams. Lyja used her shape-shifting powers to quickly form herself a set of wings and was only a second or so behind The Torch. They only went a short distance, a few blocks and were not prepared for the sight that presented itself to them. Three young women were cornered in an alley and threatening them were several hideous looking men, with protruding foreheads and fangs bared.

"What the hell...?", Storm said as he moved in closer.

"Careful, hun", said Lyja as she shape-shifted into another form to attempt to get past the creatures and rescue the girls.

"Humans", one of the creatures yelled as Torch and Lyja approached. Rather than flee, the creatures turned to face the approaching heroes and leaped forward. One of the creatures tackled Storm and although he was burning, the smell of burnt flesh filling the air, he was relentless in his attack and quickly brought the shocked Torch to the ground. Lyja transformed herself into a formidable rock-like creature and began to swat away the attacking fiends.

The Torch has managed to dispose of his attacker and was engaged in ariel combat with another of the deformed creatures.

"Christ! They can fly too!", Johnny said as he narrowly dodged a razor-sharp claw like hand swinging at his head. Lyja continued to swat and knock around the creatures that got too close to her on the ground, but wasn't having much more luck than her hubby.

"I think this might be a good time to call in some reinforcements", Lyja said to herself as she quickly hit a button on her Avengers ID card. The signal had been sent and Lyja quickly resumed fighting with the demonic creatures again.

In Avengers Castle, The Living Lightning was on moniter duty as the call came in. Quickly, he relayed the information to Black Widow, who was talking to The Beast and Iceman, as Beast was preparing to depart.

"Got it! Summon the team, ASAP!", Widow said into her card.

"Problems?", asked Beast?

"Lyja and The Torch are in London battling some kind of creatures. Hank, I know you're not an Avenger anymore, but..."

"I'm in!" Hank quickly said, tossing his bag to the side. "Let's go!"

In just a matter of seconds, the Avengers Quinjet departed from the Castle. Black Widow, Hercules, The Beast, Mantis, Dr. Druid, Iceman and Andromeda sat in the Quinjet, preparing for action. Living Lightning and Spitfire had flown / ran ahead to provide aid until the rest of the team arrived.

Back at the battle, Lyja slammed another of the creatures into a wall, while Torch had enclosed a group of the fiends with a wall of blue flame. One managed to leap clear of the flame and moved to tackle the flaming body of the Torch, when suddenly, a big bolt of electricity appeared and quickly flash-friend the creature where it had perched.

Meanwhile, a group of the creatures had surrounded Lyja, who was using her own body to shield some innocent bystanders from the creatures. A blur of red and yellow sped by, grabbing several of the creatures in a whirlwind and slamming them hard against a cement wall. '

Living Lightning and Spifire had arrived.

"It's about time!", Torch quipped.

"Where are the others", Lyja asked.

"RIght here", a voice came out from above as Iceman used an ice-sled to lower himself and several of the others from the hovering Quinjet.

"Avengers Assemble", said the Widow as she swung down on her widow-line, quickly taking out two of the creatures with swift kicks.

Hercules dived right into the action with the fists flying. "Have at thee, foul creatures!".

Mantis used her martial arts and absolute control of her own body to dodge and weave past several of the creatures, before using an alien nerve pinch to cause her foes to lose consciousness.

Beast dived right into a group of the creatures and used his strength and athleticism to quickly decimate the creatures.

"Olly Olly Oxen Free", Beast bellowed as he tossed around the hideous creatures.

Andromeda used her Atlantean strength to throw around the creatures as well. Iceman just kept enclosing then in giant blocks of ice.

And Dr. Druid, quickly discovering that his powers of mind control and illusion had no effect on these creatures, simply levitated out of their reach and used his powers of telekenesis to batter the creatures around.

"Sometimes, the simpliest ways work best", he thought to himself as he slammed two of the creatures together.

The battle was quickly turned as the Anvergers Europe, along with the Human Torch, of the Fantastic Four, as well as The Beast, of the X-Men, quickly overcome the superior numbers and vanquished their demonic and wicked foes.

"Any idea what the hell these things are", Johnny Storm asked as he helped Beast and Mantis finish securing the last of the foul creatures.

"I sense a strong aura of evil about them", Dr. Druid said..."but I'm not sure exactly what they are or what their purpose may be!"

"They remind me of vampires", Spitfire said, looking at one of the creatures closely. "But they're far stronger than any I've ever seen or dealt with before!"

"You've got experience with vampires?", Beast asked?

"Back in the war, my uncle was the original Baron Blood. And my son, John, is also a victim of that dreaded curse. Although, he's dead now!", Spitfire said.

"This one is sorry!", Mantis said, laying her hand supportingly on Spitfire's shoulder.

"It's OK", Spitfire said sadly. "It's something I've learned to live with... mostly!"

"They do appear to be vampires, but they've been enhanced.", Druid agreed.

"Mutant vampires", Iceman asked? "Wait until the Professor hears about this?"

"Well, we need to find out more.", Widow said. "Let's see if we can make one of them talk."

But before anyone could make another move, something happened. All of the captive and unconcious demon-creatures began to glow slightly. And they vanished, just disappearing into thin air.

"What the,,,?", Torch asked.

"By the pits of Hades", Hercules proclaimed.

"Teleportation is my guess..", Beast said.

"But how", Andromeda said.

"I don't sense any teleportation spells", Druid said. "And it's not technological or else our equipment would have picked up something."

"This one didn't sense anything either", Mantis said.

"I don't know what it is, what these creatures are, or the point of this whole attack", Widow said. "Or even what really just happened here. But I'm sure going to find out!"

Meanwhile, unknown to the assembled heroes, a set of glowing red eyes watched their every movement. A sneer appeared on the face of the figure who watched as he whispered to himself, "Soon Avengers... very, very soon!"

"So there haven't been any more attacks", Widow asked the figure on the video screen in front of her.

"No", said Allistaire Stuart, head of the "Weird Happenings Organization" and liason to the Avengers Europe, said from his office in downtown London. "And we've sent out alerts to all of our agents to report anything at all, ASAP to the office, so I can forward it to you."

"That's much appreciated", Widow said. "The sooner we find out what exactly those creatures are, the better."

"I agree!", Stuart said. "I'll be in touch, Widow. I've got a report on poltergiest activity in Dublin to go read."

"Well, have fun. Widow out!", Widow said, hitting the button to disconnect the communications. It had been a couple of weeks since her team, along with The Human Torch and Hank McCoy, of the X-Men, had fought and defeated a large number of vampire-like creatures in downtown London, only to have them vanish without a trace. This was a loose end and a mystery and the Black Widow didn't like mysteries or loose ends.

Natasha left her office and decided to walk around the castle a bit and check on her team. Her first stop was the library where Dr. Druid had all sorts of books and mystic tomes, searching relentlessly in his efforts to find out more about these strange creatures.

"Any luck, Doctor?", Widow asked as she entered the room.

Druid looked up and rubbed his eyes as she approached.

"No, and frankly, that worries me", the mystic said candidly. "I've tried all sorts of tracing spells, only to fail at every attempt. Something, or someone is cloaking these creatures and preventing my magic from finding them."

"Is that possible?", Widow asked.

"Possible, but very rare. After Doctor Strange, I am arguably one of the most powerful mystics on the planet. The strength and power it would take to mask so well an army of unholy creatures of that size would be tremendous. If nothing else, I should be seeing a big void or blind spot that would be an obvious indicator because of it's emptiness or lack of power. But I'm not getting anything."

"Is it possible that the creatures were all destroyed when they vanished and that's why you're not able to get any kind of reading or trace on them", Andromeda said, walking into the library.

"Possible, but highly unlikely. Even in destruction, there would be some sort of trail, some sort of remains to be found. I'm getting absolutely nothing at all.", Druid said.

Suddenly an alarm rang out from the Communicard in The Widow's pocket.

"Widow here! What's up", she quickly replied, answering the electronic summons. "OK, I'm on my way to the Quinjet. Summon the others. I have Druid and Andromeda here with me. Widow out!"

"What's up?", asked Andromeda as she and Druid quickly followed the Widow out the door and towards the Quinjet area."

"In three words, The Incredible Hulk, ", Widow said.

"I had to ask!", Andromeda said as they came to the Quinjet where Spitfire, Iceman and Mantis were waiting. The Living Lightning and Hercules were coming in through another entrance.

"Let's get going people!", Widow said as her team boarded the Quinjet. "This is going to be a mess", she thought to herself.

Minutes later, the Avengers Quinjet was flying towards their destination.

"Quickly! Swerve", Widow cried out as a huge piece of concrete came flying through the air, narrowly missing the Quinjet as it made it's approach.

Down below, the Avengers could see the rampaging figure of The Hulk as he tore through a small park and slammed a car out of his way.

"Hulk Smash!", the monster bellowed.

"Mantis, Spitfire - on crowd control. Get those civilians out the area. The rest of you, let's see if we can take down Dr. Banner. Druid, land the Quinjet. Let's move people!", the Widow shouted as the Avengers exited the still hovering Quinjet and descended on the monster below.

"Have at thee, Green Giant", Hercules said as he landed hard literally on top of Hulk. "Prepare to recieve the gift!"

WHOOOM!

A big fist by Hercules sent the stunned Hulk backwards into an old, deserted building.

"Hulk remembers funny talking man", Hulk said. "Hulk smash!"

The green monster moved forwards towards Hercules, only to be quickly enclosed in a big block of ice.

"I've got him imobilized, but this won't hold long", said Iceman, as he used his mutant powers to keep building and adding to the icy prison.

"Maybe I can use the ice as a conducter and stun him into unconsciousness", Lightning said as he unleashed a furious blast of electricity into the ice.

"Aaaaaaaaggggghhh!", the Hulk bellowed.

"Keep pouring it on!", the Widow said to Lightning as she swept down on her widow's line to pull some cililians out of the line of fire.

The Hulk kept screaming in pain and agony before flexing one last time and totally decimating the icy block. Chunks of ice went flying and pummeled the Iceman and Living Lightning.

The Lightning, stunned by the force of the blow, reverted back to human form as he slammed into a wall and into a hole created by the antics of the big green monster. He did not come back out, vanishing from sight.

"I guess it's our turn, Herc", said Andromeda as she landed a big left hand across the head of the still dazed giant.

"Indeed", agreed Hercules as he also moved forward and began peppering the green goliath with super-strong punches.

"Bah! Hulk tired of blue woman and man in skirt!", the Hulk said as he leveled Andromeda with a backhand that sent her flying several hundred feet.

"Andromeda?", Hercules shouted, distracted by the sight of his ally being knocked away.

"And now Hulk smash Skirt Man", the Hulk bellowed.

A huge right by the Hulk caught Hercules flush on the jaw and Hercules was sent flying backwards, stunned.. As the Hulk bellowed in triumph, Spitfire moved quickly into the scene and began to run in circles around the monster, creating a vortex that sucked the area and oxygen from the area around the Hulk.

"What yellow girl do? Hulk can't breathe!", the Hulk yelled.

The Hulk reached out and clapped his hands together, creating a huge concussive force that caught Spitfire as she circled him, stunning her and slamming her against a nearby building.

"All Hulk wants is to be left alone!", the Hulk bellowed.

"We can't do that, Dr. Banner", the Widow said as she swooped in on her widow's line, landing a kick across the head of the monster. "Not while innocents are in danger!"

Hulk didn't even feel the kick, but turned to the Widow.

"Hulk knows Bug Lady!", the Hulk said.

"Yes, Hulk. We're friends! We want to help you!", the Widow said.

"Bug lady lies. Hulk crush stinky bug!", the Hulk bellowed angrily, reaching for the Widow, who quickly moved out of his reach.

As the Hulk reached for the Widow, he was immediately covered again by a blast of ice and cold. Iceman was back in the game.

"Yahoo, big Green", Bobby Drake said as he continued to pour on the cold engulfing the ice.

"Hulk not like cold! Hulk crush Ice Cube and then crush Bug Lady!", the Hulk screamed.

And then, too fast for the eye to follow, a blur of motion as Mantis propelled herself into the scene and lept on the masive block of ice engulfing the still-frozen monster.

"Let this one help you", she said quickly and quietly as she mady physical contact with the Hulk's head, one of the few parts of his body not held still by the ice.

Mantis's eyes began to glow and she began to project her empathic thoughts into the mind of the Hulk's mind.

"What plant girl do?", the Hulk yelled as he attempted to break once more from his icy prison. "Hulk's head feels funny."

"This one is only trying to bring the peace and harmony to the forefront", Mantis chimed. "Allow this one to take away the rage and anger."

"Hulk feel... tired. Hulk want to sleep", the monster said, his eyes becoming heavy.

Suddenly, the monster's eyes popped open with rage and anger. He flexed once more and the ice prison crumbled. Mantis wasn't quick enough to react and was knocked across the street.

"Plant girl try to trick Hulk! Try to bring back puny Banner! Hulk not happy! Hulk smash!"

In a quick and fierce motion, the Hulk quickly again clapped his hands together, creating a concussive force that sent Iceman, The Black Widow, Spitfire and the returning Andromeda all flying in different directions.

The Hulk bellowed in rage. All looked hopeless for the Avengers.

"I say thee, Nay!", a voice bellowed out.

The Hulk turned to see Hercules standing there with a lightpole in his hands, as if it were a club. In one quick motion, Hercules batted the Hulk and sent him flying several hundred yards into a nearby park, where he landed just feet from the meditating body of Doctor Druid.

Druid's eyes glowed as he telepathically began to batter the mind and spirit of the fallen Hulk.

"What bald man do? Hulk smash! Hulk...", the Hulk fell to the ground unconscious.

A strange and disturbing change came about as the body of the Hulk began to glow and shrink, leaving laying there in it's place, the body of Dr. Bruce Banner.

The rest of the Avengers gathered and regrouped around the fallen Banner.

"What did you do, Druid?", Widow asked as she checked the pulse of the fallen scientist.

"I bided my time and took my best shot, telepathically allowing his Banner personality to overcome the Hulk persona and temporarily regain control."

"If it's so easy", Iceman asked, "Why didn't you do it sooner?"

"Because it's not easy, especially when a will and mind is as enraged and brutal as that of the Hulk. If he hadn't been so totally bewildered by that last blow of Hercules, and if Mantis hadn't allowed the spirit of Dr. Banner to begin to assert itself earlier with her empathatic powers, I wouldn't have had the power or strength necessary to mentally shut down the monster, " Druid explained.

"Well, you managed to get it done so that's all that matters", the Widow said.

"Say, where is the Lightning?", Andromeda asked, suddenly realizing that their young team-mate had not rejoined them.

"I don't know", Widow said.

Suddenly, her communicard buzzed. It was the Living Lightning!

"Yes! Manuel, where are... I see. We'll be right there!"

"What's up", Iceman asked as the Widow put away her card.

"That was Manuel. He's found something we should see. Mantis and Andromeda, keep an eye on Dr. Banner and keep him sedated. The rest of you, come with me."

(Three Minutes Later)

The assembled ranks of the Avengers Europe gathered to see what The Living Lightning had discovered.

"The Hulk knocked me through that wall, stunning me. And when I pulled myself together, I discovered... this."

A small, dark room with nearly a dozen bodies, slaughtered and lifeless, in various states of decomposition, laying about, as if they had been dumped.

"Oh my God!", Spitfire said quietly.

"This is... horrible!", Iceman agreed.

"This is definitely... unexpected.", the Widow agreed. "It reminds me of a slaughterhouse I once uncovered in Berlin several years ago."

The Avengers stood around, surveying the sickening scene.

"Any theories, Doctor?", Widow asked Dr. Druid, who was kneeling by and examining one of the bodies.

"Nothing I can confirm, but I have some theories that I'll have to research when we return to the castle. But I have noticed one thing on this body, and I suspect we'll find the same true with every other body if examined closely enough. No apparent obvious sign of trauma or death, but I've noticed that there two small wounds on the neck of this corpse."

"Vampires?", Widow asked.

"So it seems", Druid agreed.

"London and Europe in general, are well known for their vampire stories", Lightning mentioned.

"Not just stories and myths", Spitfire said. "Vampires do exist. I know that from my own personal experiences... My uncle... my son!".

"Do you think it may be them, involved", Iceman asked the blond battler quietly.

"No, they're as dead as dead can be, for a vampire anyhow. Captain America destroyed my Uncle, and I personally desroyed my son just last year... for good! I don't think it's them."

"We encountered Dracula when I was with the X-Men. He had the major hots for Storm. Could it be him?", Iceman asked.

"He is indeed a foul and evil creature", Hercules agreed. "I myself have also encountered the Dark Lord and he is a force to be reckoned with."

"For some reason, I don't think Dracula is involved", the Widow said. "Disposing of bodies in this manner isn't his style", she said, remembering her own encounter with the evil vampire back in the late sixties.

"I don't think it's Dracula either", Druid agreed. "I'll make some inquiries to make sure though. I've sensed an aura of uncertain origins about this place that lead me to believe that this may involve the same creatures we fought a few weeks ago, that vanished so abruptly. And that we may be fighting someone new."

"I'll allow you to see what you can learn, Doctor, so we can hopefully discover who's responsible for this and put an end to their evil", the Widow said. "As for now, I guess we should summon the local authorities to deal with these bodies and this scene. And we still have Doctor Banner to deal with as well."

"Yeah, we don't want to go another ten rounds with a rampaging Hulk, do we", Iceman quipped.

"No Robert, we don't", the Widow said. "So let's take care of what we must do so we can head back to the Castle."

(To Be Continued)